Toryu2020

Look for Tatara Nagayuki - photos may not compare well to the work of this smith... -t

Heal well!

Nice one.

The Northern California Japanese Sword Club does three kinds of Kantei each month - Hands-on Kantei at our in-person meetings. Paper Kantei in the pages of our newsletter. Zoom Kantei where you are emailed a question and we then get together on Zoom to find the answer together. All in English and all for just $60 a year! We welcome enthusiastic students of all levels. Join us! -tch

Welcome back Peter!

Inome is symbolic of Marishiten, God of War... -t

Its from an old book so Pre-war Japanese - if I understand the listing this is from the Shosoin. -t

A kodai koshirae with at least the tsuba left…

Heres one befitting an Ichimonji blade... Tachi Koshirae: Shichiyo-mon (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu) - Japanese Sword Shop Aoi-Art

Very interesting. Perhaps you'll be able to match this to a known artist... -t

Welcome Jeff. Sounds like you'll have a great time here. -t

Dee I would ask for more pictures - in this photo the condition does not look good. No expert here but I agree not Yagyu... -t

For the story of super high-end tsuba and fittings look here; https://nihonto.com/nakai-koshirae/

Conversely - Japanese Armor-makers for the Samurai says; 家則 Hitachi 1532-1554 A skilled maker The genealogy of the Saotome lists Ienori as the brother of the founder Nobuyasu. Since the existence of Nobuyasu cannot be confirmed, this relationship is questionable but Ienori would appear to be one of the first members of the Saotome group. 家則 Hitachi 1789-1800 A skilled maker There were probably two Saotome working during the late Edo period using the name Ienori. Surviving examples of the workmanship of this Ienori reveal two distinct styles of workmanship.

The Shin-Katchushi Meikan lists two Ienori; 家則 and 家儀 家則 Ienori - late Edo Hitachi The Kokon Kajimei Hayamidashi lists Ienori as the son of Ieyoshi and lists him as the 14th generation. Helmets are done in the Saotome style with a gentle taste. He also made tsuba signing "Joshu Ju Saotome Ienori" and these are Late-Edo works around Kansei. An old book lists "Ienori Joshu Saotome Katchushi Tenbun Goro" Howeverthis is a different person from the man who signed "Joshu Ju Saotome Ienori" and Sasama Sensei says we don't have any evidence of an Ienori in the Momoyama or early Edo period.